unless you like fustration.
TPI - most complicated intake ever
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
TPI - most complicated intake ever
For those with TPI engines that have taken their intake apart, i'm sure you can all agree with me that its too complicated and frustrating. Its like they designed it so that you drop a bolt (and you will) it goes into a little nook and takes forever to get it out. If you disagree and think there are more complicated intakes out there, I would like to see a description and some pictures 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
I have not dropped a bolt in mine, but years ago I installed TPIS Large tube runners, Big Mouth manifold and ported the plenum. I thought that part was pretty normal R&R.
There has been untold complaining about installing the SR on these pages. I did not even try it...forewarned was forearmend! My mechanic made a special tool to get at some of the bolts. Works fine, but it will test normal beings.
There has been untold complaining about installing the SR on these pages. I did not even try it...forewarned was forearmend! My mechanic made a special tool to get at some of the bolts. Works fine, but it will test normal beings.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
TPIs are a paint to mess with, and everything has to be reassembled in order so it all fits right. For the lower torx bolts try using a long 1/4" drive extension with a 1/4" to 3/8 in adapter, your torx socket on the eind of that. To get them started OSH sells a craftsman 1/4" flexible extension (looks like a cable), that makes it a little easier. Put some antisieze on the end of the threads, it helps. One in the DS rear is no fun as the windshield washer motor, booster line and everything else is in the way.
A telescoping magnet is a must on these cars.
A telescoping magnet is a must on these cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 15
From: The light that never warms.
St. Jude Donor '12
I've had two TPI setups, an '85 Trans Am, and an '85 Vette. I had them apart so many times, I didn't think much of it. I was kind of intimidated the first time, but it's just parts. You unbolt stuff, and there it is. Just keep track of which bolts go where. Not too tough.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Until I had to put it all back together. 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 1
From: Conroe TEXAS!
Cruise-In X Veteran
The first time I took apart a TPI I was 16. I never really found it that difficult. I will say that after installing the SLP runners its much easier with the allan head runner bolts and that nifty ball end alan wrench from SLP. If I ever have to pull another stock one apart, Im definately ditching the torx bolts!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
It really is just a matter of doing some mods, make a few tools, throw a few tricks at it, and the frustration is minimized.
personally I love reading about how bad the super ram is. I dont have any issues with it. the first time was the worst... I did a few posted tricks on it and found better ways for me.
the only stock bolts on it are the runners to base. I replaced all of the rest.
Although there are some guys who throw tools and say F-it because they have the wrong screwdriver... those types I dont think can be helped.
personally I love reading about how bad the super ram is. I dont have any issues with it. the first time was the worst... I did a few posted tricks on it and found better ways for me.
the only stock bolts on it are the runners to base. I replaced all of the rest.
Although there are some guys who throw tools and say F-it because they have the wrong screwdriver... those types I dont think can be helped.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Well I always have problems putting it back together. I've spent 4 hours on it today (longest its ever taken me btw) and dropped 2 bolts. At least one of my bolts never wants to thread right no matter how I put it in there. They should have kept it a once piece intake manifold. Yeah its still not all back together yet, its ridiculous. Doesnt help thats its 27* out there without the wind.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 26,598
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA Yea, i'm a redneck... but you love it
Cruise-In 8-9 Veteran
aka/Trunk Monkey/Banned For Life/Corvette For Life
It really is just a matter of doing some mods, make a few tools, throw a few tricks at it, and the frustration is minimized.
personally I love reading about how bad the super ram is. I dont have any issues with it. the first time was the worst... I did a few posted tricks on it and found better ways for me.
the only stock bolts on it are the runners to base. I replaced all of the rest.
Although there are some guys who throw tools and say F-it because they have the wrong screwdriver... those types I dont think can be helped.
personally I love reading about how bad the super ram is. I dont have any issues with it. the first time was the worst... I did a few posted tricks on it and found better ways for me.
the only stock bolts on it are the runners to base. I replaced all of the rest.
Although there are some guys who throw tools and say F-it because they have the wrong screwdriver... those types I dont think can be helped.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Better yet replace the torx bolts with allen bolts and get a long shank ball-end allen driver. It'll come off in 1/2 the time. Most of the frustration comes from not being able to get to the runner bolts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
